ABSTRACT
Advanced materials are recently gaining importance as replacements for conventional materials and as facilitators of new and distinctive products. These materials have had a considerable impact on the development of a wide range of strategic technologies and offer greater potential for rapid technological advance and market penetration. Advanced materials exhibit higher strength density ratios, greater strength, and/or more optical, thermal, electrical and chemical properties in comparison to traditional materials (Randall Curlee and Das, 1991). Also, these materials provide decreased energy consumption, improved performance at lower cost, and reduced dependence on imports of strategic and critical materials. Table 1.1 highlights potential differences between advanced materials and traditional materials (Randall Curlee and Das, 1991). The table also lists specific information and analysis needs which are derived from assessing these differences.
